C. Knowledge Areas
expected of Clinical
Specialists
Content
Human Anatomy/
Physiology
Musculoskeletal, neuromuscular,
cardiovascular, pulmonary,
Neurological and integumentary
systems.
Other: endocrine, reproductive, and
digestive, Histology
Human growth and development
Movement Science
Kinesiology / clinical biomechanics
( i.e classroom courses,
conferences, journal clubs,
case studies, webinars)
Motor learning and control
Locomotion
Ergonomics
Pathophysiology
Symptoms/signs of injury/disease,
Disease processes
Tissue Inflammation, healing, and
repair
Pathokinesiology
Pain sciences
Medical and Surgical
Intervention
Imaging studies and surgical
procedures,
Ancillary tests: EMG, EKG, lab
studies
Pharmacology (pharmacokinetics)
Surgical / non-surgical interventions
Evidence based
DIDACTIC
EXPERIENCES
Theory and application: modalities,
CLINICAL
EXPERIENCES
INDEPENDENT LEARNING
(i.e. Monographs/Study
( i.e. Pre-planned
courses, Assigned Articles,
observation, Physician
Independent research)
Shadowing,1:1 clinical
mentoring, 1:1 patient/client
related planning/discussion)
orthopaedic theory and
practice
therapeutic exercise, exercise
physiology
Manual therapy
Differential diagnosis
Critical Inquiry
Orthotic, protective, supportive and
prosthetic devices
Principles of health, wellness
education
Research Design, methods including
statistical concepts
Appraisal of research findings
Application of research to orthopaedic
practice
Dissemination of research findings
A. Practice Dimension
Examination
Examination includes
obtaining history, systems
review, tests and measures
and re-examination
Content
Performs systems review to assess
physiologic and anatomic status,
cognition and communication skills
History of patient/client’s chief c/o with
regard to severity, chronicity,
impairment and/or disability, level of
present functioning, level of irritability
and emotional response to current
situation.
Re-examination. Administer selected
specific tests and measures for
additional problems not previously
DIDACTIC
EXPERIENCES
CLINICAL
EXPERIENCES
( i.e courses, conferences,
journal clubs, case studies)
( i.e. Pre-planned
observation, Physician
Shadowing)
INDEPENDENT LEARNING
(i.e. Monographs, Articles,
Independent research)
identified.
Evaluation
Interpreting the data from
history, developing a
working diagnosis,
determining the
appropriateness of PT,
planning the test and
measures portion of the
exam, responding to
emerging data from
examination, intervention,
and selected additional tests
and measures
Interpret data from history and
systems review; identify relevant,
consistent, accurate data; prioritize
impairments, assess patient’s
motivations and needs
Develop working diagnosis including
nature of complaint and possible
contraindications for intervention.
A. Practice Dimension
Content
Evaluation cont’d.
Select and perform tests and
measures that are comprehensive
and consistent with history and
systems review
Evaluate and interpret data from the
examination; history, physical exam,
psychosocial factors, tissue irritability.
Select intervention approach to
include referral to another health care
professional, PT intervention or
further examination
DIDACTIC
EXPERIENCES
CLINICAL
EXPERIENCES
( i.e courses, conferences,
journal clubs, case studies)
( i.e. Pre-planned
observation, Physician
Shadowing)
INDEPENDENT LEARNING
(i.e. Monographs, Articles,
Independent research)
Diagnosis
Prognosis
Determination of the
optimal level of
improvement in function
and the amount of time
required to achieve
function
Respond to emerging data from
examination and intervention by
modification and redirection
Establish diagnosis and determine
most appropriate intervention
approach. Identification of clinical
patterns.
Predict optimal level of improvement
in function and the optimal amount of
time to reach that level.
Establish plan of care, selecting and
prioritizing specific intervention based
on impairments.
Choose assessment measures to
determine initial and long term
response to intervention
A. Practice Dimension
Intervention
Implementing the POC
from exam to DC.
Content
Assess response to intervention
(changes in symptoms, development
of new symptoms, change in tissue
responses, changes in signs and
DIDACTIC
EXPERIENCES
CLINICAL
EXPERIENCES
( i.e courses, conferences,
journal clubs, case studies)
( i.e. Pre-planned
observation, Physician
Shadowing)
INDEPENDENT LEARNING
(i.e. Monographs, Articles,
Independent research)
Coordination of care,
patient management,
communication and
patient/client related
instruction
Outcomes
Remediation of functional
limitation and disability,
patient satisfaction, primary
and secondary prevention.
Practice Dimension
B. Professional
responsibilities
Expected of
Orthopaedic Clinical
Specialists
Consultation and
Education
Critical Inquiry
symptoms.
Determine the significance of changes
in signs and symptoms (cause and
relevance of change).
Improvement of patient/client’s
functional limitation and disability
based on best available evidence and
patient/client variables
Content
Contribute special knowledge or
expert opinion in client-based,
community, or academic settings.
(Formal or informal mentoring,
consultation, teaching, expert witness
and peer review).
Maintain state of the art knowledge
and skill by participating in continuing
professional development
Apply principles of EBP in
examination, evaluation and
intervention.
Contribute to the body of knowledge
of orthopaedic PT
DIDACTIC
EXPERIENCES
CLINICAL
EXPERIENCES
( i.e courses,
conferences, journal clubs,
case studies)
( i.e. Pre-planned
observation, Physician
Shadowing)
INDEPENDENT LEARNING
(i.e. Monographs, Articles,
Independent research)
Practice Dimension
D. Procedures Expected
of Orthopaedic Clinical
Specialsts
Content
Examination
a-q
Procedural Interventions
a-f
DIDACTIC
EXPERIENCES
CLINICAL
EXPERIENCES
( i.e courses,
conferences, journal clubs,
case studies)
( i.e. Pre-planned
observation, Physician
Shadowing)
INDEPENDENT LEARNING
(i.e. Monographs, Articles,
Independent research)